IDF forces killed early Thursday at least two terrorists belonging to Islamic Jihad’s armed wing as they were attempting to place a bomb along the security fence in central Gaza, north of the Kissufim crossing.

Troops identified three al-Quds Brigades members near the fence, after which an IDF chopper proceeded to open fire at the terrorists, as did tanks on the ground.

The soldiers later uncovered an explosives device weighing 30 kilograms close to the electronic fence in central Gaza. The device was planted by the terror cell before two of its members were killed by IDF fire.

Palestinian sources said two bodies were found, adding that they have been identified as Muhammad Abu Iad and Sufian Abu Jerab.

Since the IDF’s pullout from Gaza terror organizations have been continuously firing Qassam rockets at Israel and trying unsuccessfully to place bombs along the fence, targeting army vehicles patrolling the area. Some 30 bombs were discovered near the fence since the pullout, and in many incidents the terrorists were killed as they were digging a hole in the ground for the bombs.

“For the terror groups, headed by Islamic Jihad, even one successful attempt at striking an IDF vehicle would be considered an achievement,” and IDF official said.

“Since the departure of IDF forces from Gaza some 70 terrorists have been killed, mostly in aerial attacks; most of the terrorists were members of cells focusing on firing Qassams and placing bombs. “

Would-be suicide bomber nabbed

Meanwhile, IDF forces operating in the West Bank on Thursday apprehended 18 wanted Palestinian terror suspects. In Nablus Palestinians opened fire at soldiers on two separate occasions; one soldiers sustained light injuries from shrapnel.

The wanted terror suspects were detained in the Nablus, Bethlehem, Ramallah and Tul Karm areas.

On Wednesday a special IDF unit detained
in Ramallah a Palestinian who planned to carry out a suicide attack along with two people who assisted him. The detained would-be bomber belongs to a Tanzim cell in Nablus and was arrested en route to Jerusalem, where he was supposed to receive the explosive belt.

Authorities are unsure whether the terrorist planned to detonate himself in Jerusalem or at a central Israel target. All three suspects were taken in for interrogation.